nitrous

American

[nahy-truhs] / ˈnaɪ trəs /

adjective

Chemistry.

pertaining to compounds obtained from niter, usually containing less oxygen than the corresponding nitric compounds.
containing nitrogen, usually in the trivalent state.

nitrous British

/ ˈnaɪtrəs /

adjective

of, derived from, or containing nitrogen, esp in a low valency state

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

nitrous Scientific

/ nī′trəs /

Containing nitrogen, especially nitrogen with a valence of 3.
Compare nitric

Other Word Forms

nonnitrous

adjective

Etymology

Origin of nitrous

First recorded in 1595–1605, nitrous is from the Latin word nitrōsus full of natron. See nitroso-

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Nitrous oxide can also increase under certain moisture conditions.

From Science Daily • Feb. 22, 2026

Nitrous oxide is believed to act on glutamate receptors in a manner similar to ketamine, another rapid-acting antidepressant.

From Science Daily • Dec. 2, 2025

Nitrous oxide also has industrial uses to increase the power of internal combustion engines, and as an aerosol propellant for foods like whipped cream.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2025

Nitrous oxide is used medically as an anesthetic and pain reliever.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 26, 2023

Nitrous acid dissolves all metallic substances except gold and platina, and in the solution nitrous air is produced.

From Heads of Lectures on a Course of Experimental Philosophy: Particularly Including Chemistry by Priestley, Joseph

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023